Micaela Thompson

Micaela Thompson, 80, Barnesville, MN, passed away April 26, 2022 in Sanford Medical Center in Fargo.

Micaela was born on July 1, 1941, to George H. and Orpha (Ranger) Felde. She had two older brothers, Stuart and Craig.  Micaela attended school in Barnesville and graduated from Barnesville High School in 1959. 

Micaela married James (Jim) F. Thompson at St. Cecelia’s Catholic Church in Sabin, MN, on February 25, 1961. Married over 61 years, they farmed west of Barnesville until her death. Jim and Micaela welcomed two daughters, Asunta ‘Susie’ Thompson and Cynthia ‘Cindy’ (John) Nelson.  Micaela and Jim have six grandchildren: Justin (Marisa) Fricke, Ariane Fricke, Adam (Kayci) Nelson, Caitlin (Dylan) Johnson, Malibu (Tanner) Holweger, and Codi Johns, and 10 great-grandchildren: Jake, Josh, Jolie and Jocelyn Fricke, Shaina and Brooks Nelson, Whitney and Waylon Johnson, and Mercadez and Brantley Holweger. 

Diagnosed at age 16 with Type 1 Diabetes, Micaela outlived all expectations by living nearly 65 years with the disease. At the time of her diagnosis, Type 1 diabetics rarely lived to age 50. In 2009, she was awarded the Joslin 50-Year Medal by the Joslin Diabetes Center for living successfully with diabetes for more than 50 years. Her story was even shared in an American Diabetes Association publication.

A lifelong member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Barnesville, Micaela was very proud that her grandpa Mathias Felde carved the beautiful woodwork around the entrance doors.  She was a faithful volunteer with Our Savior’s Lutheran Church circles and quilters. She enjoyed leading activities or calling Bingo at the Barnesville Care Center and Golden Manor to help brighten the days of the residents. She led Senior Exercise at the Barnesville Senior Center and Senior Apartment Complex well into her upper sixties, and was proud to have been a volunteer with Hospice and the Barnesville Area Helpers.

Micaela liked the Minnesota Twins, Chicago Blackhawks, UND Hockey, and of course the NDSU Bison. She was famous for her fun earrings, distinctive glasses (usually red!), and the red highlights in her hair. She loved antiques, boxed wine, and most of all her grandkids.

A private celebration of life will be held this summer when her grandkids flock back to Minnesota to hang out at the farm, stay at Lake Lida, and fish with Grandpa Jim.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (jdrf.org), the Barnesville Cemetery Association, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church (Barnesville, MN), or a philanthropy of your choice. If you do prefer to honor Micaela with flowers, please have them delivered to Barnesville’s Golden Manor Assisted Living, Bethany on University (Fargo), Barnesville Nursing Home (Valley Care & Rehab), or Our Savior’s Lutheran Church for others to enjoy. Whatever you decide, please be sure to spell her name correctly (M-i-c-a-e-l-a) on the card, or you will be soundly scolded whenever you meet her again!